The USMLE Step 1 often raises questions among new medical students about preparation timing. While advice varies widely, here’s what you need to know about when and how to start preparing.
Common Advice You’ll Hear
Upper year students often give conflicting advice:
- “Don’t start yet – it’s too early”
- “Wait until second year”
- “Use board resources immediately”
- “Just study during dedicated period”
The Truth About Step 1 Preparation
Your entire basic sciences curriculum teaches what you need for licensing exams. Every topic matters – from direct knowledge (like biochemical processes in Marfan disease) to supporting concepts (why Marfan disease affects blood vessels).
Why Start Early?
Early preparation offers two key advantages:
- Better long-term retention versus cramming
- Equal importance of firt and second-year material
Effective Study Strategies From Day One
- Use First Aid as Your Guide
- Cross-reference lecture material with First Aid
- Master high-yield content first
- Focus on understanding “why” and “how”
- Start annotating during second semester
- Choose Supporting Resources
- Video options: Sketchy Medical, Physeo, Boards & Beyond
- Text resources: AMBOSS
- Pick one resource per subject
- Use these to enhance your First Aid annotations
- Implement Spaced Repetition – Choose Your Method
- Anki – automated algorithm
- Quizlet – premade or custom flashcards
- Traditional pen and paper
- Incorporate regular review intervals
- Practice with Question Banks – Recommended Resources:
- USMLE-Rx – similar to NBME style
- BRS chapter questions
- Boards & Beyond question bank
- AMBOSS – for advanced practice
- My Hot Take
- Save UWorld for your dedicated study period due to cost and complexity
Making the Most of Practice Questions
- Focus on learning, not scoring
- Review all answer explanations
- Understand your incorrect choices, as well as your correct choices that were lucky guesses
- Add these new insights to your spaced repetition regimen
Building Your Foundation
Strong basic sciences preparation sets you up for success in dedicated study. Treat your curriculum as board prep from day one.
Want more Step 1 preparation tips? Check out my upcoming post about the review term period!
Questions? Email me at slp.to.md@gmail.com
The content in this blog post is not sponsored.
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